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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEMBER TESTIMONIES

A. Sacred Heart Savings CooperativeSaklay at Katuwang ………………………………………………………….. 77

B. La Union Multipurpose CooperativeA Soft Spot for the Poor ……………………………………………………… 79

C. Tubao Credit Cooperative

Noel T. Panelo ………………………………………………………………… 83

Catalina Boado Garcia ………………………………………………………. 84

Victoriano G. Drapiza ……………………………………………………….. 86

Fely Paneda …………………………………………………………………. 85

Kathleen Mae Jean V. Suñer …………………………………………….. 87

D. Bagnos Multipurpose Cooperative

Mary Ann Vidad ……………………………………………………………… 88

Filomena Benito …………………………………………………………….. 88

Lilia Damoal ………………………………………………………………… 89

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S AKLAY AT KATUWANG Tatay Ireneo is a member of SHSC-Tagudin Branch since 2013

He is a resident of Brgy. Las-ud, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur .

Filipinos are farmers. Philippine agriculture has been alongside with our colorful history since time immemorial. Many of those who fought the conquerors for our freedom were farmers and land tillers.

Agriculture continues to be the main source of livelihood for many of our kababayans. The variety of crops cultivated by our Filipino farmers range from rice, corn, peanut, tobacco and vegetables like eggplant, tomato and onions. Today, our small time farmers are (still) yet on a battle--this time, “cold war” against massive capitalism, soaring commodity prices and issues in the agricultural reform.“…being able to stand in two feet, again, feels like no other having SHSC as his

“saklay” and “katuwang” sa buhay.”

Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative has been reaching out to empower farmers since its inception. Majority, if not all, of its founding cooperators were farmers. Aside from offering microfinance loans to majority of its members, several programs of the coop are aligned on helping out and easing out the difficult plight of its farmer-members. To mention, its Farmers Entrepreneurship Program launched in April 2013 (now renamed as Coop Initiative Program on Agro-Enterprise under the SHSC Business Development Support Services) directs efforts to provide assistance and ensure the viability and profitability of the farm harvest by partnering with large organizations (Jollibee Foods for example) as buying agent of the various produces of its members.

Mr. Ireneo Alberto, an amputee and a native of Santiago, Isabela, is one of the initial farmers enlisted with the SHSC-Farmers Entrepreneurship Program in 2013. Together with other farmer-members in Tagudin, the coop was able to assist Mr. Alberto with his white onion growing.

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For the first delivery in 2014 to Zenith Foods/Jollibee Foods Corporation in Canlubang, Laguna, he was able to harvest and provide 1,700 kilos of white onions. With his consolidated income from sibuyas and backyard hog raising, he was able to purchase a new artificial leg for himself which he is very thankful for. He says that his life and his family became better and brighter--even forgetting the tragic 1980s when he lost his left leg during an illegal logging operation in the mountains of Sierra Madre. He, being able to stand in two feet, again, feels like no other having SHSC as his “saklay” and “katuwang” as buhay.

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La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative: A Soft Spot for the PoorEvelyn P. Carpio

FACES OF POVERTY. LUMPC desires to soften the blow of poverty in some members through its AID program.

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Worldwide, 1.4 billion people live below the poverty line, living on the equivalent of $1.25 a day. Poverty is a serious issue. While the rich live in multi-million dollar mansions and enjoy very extravagant lives, a significant majority of the world’s population does not have enough food to eat, are denied of their basic needs and education, and are forced to work even in harsh conditions. Needless to say, the rich and the poor are worlds away. This is one issue the La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative wants to address in its simple way. When you go on a tour, you’ll always be on the lookout for beautiful and fresh sceneries. But as you go traverse the highways and the rural roads, you’ll be disappointed to see that the beauty is often spoiled by poverty. In front of a high-rise office building in a city are kids begging for alms. While luxury cars pass to and fro, families live under bridges in conditions you don’t see fit and decent for humans. While some people throw big parties, beggars scavenge garbage bins for whatever scraps they can eat. The chairman of the LUMPC Board of Directors, Fr. Chito, has always had a soft spot for the poor and the underprivileged, having been witness to the stark poverty in a parish he has served

. Hence he proposed the AID program – Adopt an Indigent or Disabled Person.

Beneficiaries of the program should have a monthly income of not more than P 6,000.00. They should not be beneficiaries of foundations such as 4Ps and St. Benedict Foundation. Once a candidate is deemed deserving of the program, he will be accepted as an associate member of the Cooperative and entitled to its Health and Wellness and mortuary programs. He will also be given a P 5000 capital to start a livelihood and one of his children will also be given scholarship grants regardless of his level of education.

Some may say that the program is too small to address a global problem. Some may even find it impossible to alleviate poverty. But if La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative could make someone’s life better one day at a time, it can make a difference. Hurray to the AID Program.

Member’s Success, Coop’s SuccessEvelyn P. Carpio

Lerma, a mother of two, inspects the products she has loaded on her tri-bike. Today, just as any other day in her life, she will be shooting two birds with one stone. Off to bring her kids their snacks, she carries a bicycle-load of Avon, Boardwalk, and other brochure products, together with new brochures she will show her fellow mothers and the bottled peanut butter she will offer them. She muses over the past years when she barely had enough to send her kids to school and constantly worried about her clients’ late payments and her overdue accounts. She became a member of La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative, but as a new member, she had misgivings about availing a loan considering her financial capacity. She however tried “Paluwagan 5”. Because she was among the earliest entries in the “paluwagan”, she exited thrice within a few days, making her P 12,000.00 richer. She then used the amount to purchase bottled peanut butter, dishwashing liquid, and other products which she sells to

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neighbors, friends and acquaintances. She smiles as she goes off on her loaded bike. Thanks to LUMPC’s “Paluwagan 5”, Lerma does not have to worry about her capital anymore. She has dreams, LUMPC is helping her fulfill them.

It all started as an organization founded by then Vice-Governor Amparo Aspiras, meant to empower women, particularly the politicians’ spouses. But the circle expanded to accommodate interested women. Hence, La Union Ladies Association (LULA) was born. The founder and first chairman of the board, Mrs. Aspiras conceived the cooperative idea, with the support of the late congressman, Hon. Jose D. Aspiras. Registered as First Agoo Credit Cooperative, it was later amended to La Union Ladies Multi-Purpose Cooperative and was confirmed in April 16, 1991. The General Assembly approved the name La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative during the February 23, 2014 meeting, the name now descriptive of its members.

A quarter of the century later, after much evolution, La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative thrives as a fast-growing institution in La Union and in Region 1. LUMPC is now a long way from what it used to be. From an institution of civic-minded women to a cooperative meant to serve people from all walks of life. From a cooperative with meager resources ( 15 original members and initial capital contribution of P 4,400.00) to a large-scale cooperative of 2,800 members and assets of over a hundred million pesos.

LUMPC’s mission is to make better the lives of its members through its credit services. Offering three loan windows (regular, educational, and emergency) to its clients, the Cooperative has offered assistance to members who wish to start business from a scratch, to send their children to school, to start life anew after an act of God, or simply to satisfy their personal needs. Other than its credit services, it also has a grocery store and canteen, travel and tours, loading, speed-sewing, and Western Union services, all of which are being patronized by its members. With the intention of setting a good example to the management staff and members, the directors themselves patronize these services, particularly its grocery, after every meeting.

Much has changed since the Cooperative was founded in 1991. The mission, vision and objective remain, but life-changing programs have also been established, attributed to the Board of Directors who genuinely care for its members. The Cooperative sends poor but deserving students to college, shouldering their tuition and giving them summer jobs in which they are given allowance for the work they render. It has also partnered with the Rotary Club of Agoo in giving trainings on speed-sewing to out-of-school youths and interested individuals. With these trainings, they could start a cottage business and earn money which would help them subsist. Other than that, this duo has joined forces to feed school children attending two day-care centers (Capas and San Marcos).

La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative does not just care about the improving its members’ lives economically, but also physically with its unique Health and Wellness Program (HWP). This program, proposed by its chairperson, Rev. Fr. Liberato Apusen, entitles interested members to a lifetime

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medical and dental benefits with a minimal registration fee which they may pay in installment basis. Gina, a member, was hospitalized because of gastritis for four days. Good thing, she is a HWP member. Upon her discharge, she endorsed to the Cooperative the papers to prove she was admitted in a hospital. The program in turn granted her two thousand pesos for each day she spent in the hospital, P 1,000.00 for her medicines and P 1,000 for the doctor’s professional fee. This was other than the PhilHealth benefits she is entitled to as a teacher. And if ever she gets sick again (she constantly prays she won’t), she will have no reason to worry. LUMPC’s HWP will make her burden lighter.

Another program unique to the Cooperative is the AID (Adopt an Indigent or Disabled Person), another brainchild of the chairperson’s. Beneficiaries of the program are selected individuals who earn less than P 6,000.00 a month and are not members of any foundation. The AID beneficiaries automatically become members of the Cooperative, entitled to its Health and Wellness Program, scholarship to one of his dependents and a five-thousand-peso (P5,000.00) capital from which he can start a cottage business.

Considered by the Cooperative as its best practice is the “Paluwagan 5”. With credit service as it main service and patronized by 30 percent of its members, the Cooperative finds it particularly challenging to collect from its borrowers. One way to ease their burden of amortizing is having them join “Paluwagan 5”, which allows them to shoot two birds with one stone – part of the proceeds goes to the Cooperative as payment of their loans and part goes to them as cold cash.

Lerma and Gina are just two members from among the 2,800 whose lives have become better because of La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Their success is not just theirs, but also the Cooperative’s. Its mantra, LUMPC: Your Truthful Partner, tugs at the heartstrings of every member.

Cooperative Member Stories from Tubao Credit Cooperative, Tubao La Union

Master Teacher I, Tubao La Union

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I was in the grade school when I heard about ‘TUBAO CREDIT COOPERATIVE.” There are lots of positive things I’ve heard about it. Actually, my parents are also members. We were able to finish our education until we became degree holders together with my two sisters, Mariel Panelo Estoque and Arlyn Panelo. It is because of the amount of money my parents borrowed from the Cooperative.

Way back 2003; a blessing came from God because I was able to fill a teaching position in a Central School in our town. At that time, I asked my parents how to become a member of the Cooperative because I want to become a member, too. They asked me to visit their office and I did it. I attended the PMES until I became a member. There came a time when we encountered financial problem and since I’m already employed in a government service, I decided to apply for salary loan for teachers and Tubao Credit Cooperative was very willing enough to lend me that certain amount. I also used the rest of the money in my education. I enrolled in the graduate studies and took up Master of Arts in Educational Management. Because of dedication and commitment to my profession, I was promoted from Teacher I to Master Teacher I and just last year I was awarded as One of the Most Outstanding Public School Teacher in La Union.

Tubao Credit Cooperative is really a blessing for me. I was able to sustain the education of my younger brother in college because of the salary loan offered by TCC. He finished Bachelor in Elementary Education and now a teacher like me. He is Alvin T. Panelo and now teaching at Saint Isidore School of Tubao. The amount and the trust given me by the TUBAO CREDIT COOPERATIVE helped me fulfill and realize my dream as well as the dream of my younger brother Alvin.Truly.

“Gapukenka TUBAO CREDIT COOPERATIVE Rigattibiagmaibturan,

Gapukenka TUBAO CREDIT COOPERATIVE Panagrang-ay masarakan.”

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Catalina Boado GarciaSan Nicolas West, Agoo, La Union (Fisherfolk)

Fisherfolks are one among the sectors of our community who comprise membership in the Tubao Credit Cooperative. They live along the coastal barangays of the municipalities of the province of La Union. Fishermen or “mang-ngalap” as they are often called in our local dialect, greatly depend on fishing as means of their livelihood.

This livelihood is quite difficult and risky particularly when the weather is not fine and the sea is rough. Likewise, their income is not stable, especially when a fisherman does not own a fishing boat. However, this irony in life is negated, when one has a positive approach in life.

This positive approach in life, is exemplified by one fisherman in the name of Lumer Garcia of barangay San Nicolas West, Agoo, La Union. He is sixty five (65) years old, married to Catalina Boado of whom they were blessed with six (6) children, four (4) girls and two boys. Mr. Lumer Garcia is a typical fisherman who lives below the threshold of poverty.

He stays in a typical house made of indigenous materials located near the seashore. Although he owned a motorized boat or “banca” which he used for fishing to earn a living in sustaining his family, still, Mr. Garcia has to double his efforts in order to send his children to college. This financial predicament signalled the couple to join and became members of the Tubao Credit Cooperative. Mr. & Mrs Lumer Garcia originally availed of a small productive loan from the cooperative and eventually obtained a bigger sum in their succeeding loan availment, because they promptly settled their loan obligations.

They are classified as members in good credit standing. His patience, hard work and a loan capital from Tubao Credit Cooperative, fortunately enabled him to raise his income and acquired four (4) more motorized fishing boats. He was able to send his children to college. His six children are now professionals, one is a doctor, the others are nurse, midwife, engineer, criminologist, and HRM graduate. Their present house is now a new two-storey concrete edifice, harmonized with a brand new service car. Indeed, the fruit of the toil of Mr. & Mrs. Garcia is a shining example of a successful member/borrower of Tubao Credit Cooperative. To God be the glory !

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Success story of one of the trainees who underwent the Skills Training on Welding provided to Person with Disabilities sponsored by the TCC held

on August 05, 2013 to August 10, 2013

Name of Trainee : VICTORIANO G.DRAPIZAAge : 56 years oldAddress : Brgy. Garcia, Tubao, La UnionEducational Attainment : Vocational Course GraduateOccupation : Tricycle Driver/ welder

Victoriano is among the trainees who underwent training on Welding which to him was a big opportunity for him to develop and acquire additional skills despite of his disability which he got when he was five years old. It was his left foot which got deformed being a Polio victim. This disability did not mar him in taking up Refrigeration and Aircon for a period of one year but so unfortunate that he did not sustain these skills due to financial limitations being unable to have the financial means to purchase his own tools, which accordingly are so expensive which he claimed he cannot afford. With no tools of his own, his interest decreased until he got into driving a tricycle which he learned from his own father. With strong determination to earn an income for his family, he then learned to drive, as well as make minor repairs on tricycles from his father who taught him these skills of which he is very grateful because going to school to learn such would entail much expenses which his family cannot afford at that time.

With Six children to support, he did not stop looking for more opportunities so that he also engaged on farming to augment the income he gets from driving a tricycle. Determined to earn more for his family, he took the opportunity to undergo the Training on Welding sponsored by the Tubao Credit cooperative, thus, completed the Five-day training Program which was held August 05,2013 to August 10,2013.Other Twenty Four persons with disabilities also attended the training of which many of them were able to use the skills with Mr. Victoriano Drapiza, being one of those who benefited much from it as he is able to increase his income by more or less Eight Hundred pesos in a week time so that he claims he is so grateful that the Tubao Credit Cooperative has provided such opportunity to him for it did not only earn him additional income but also increased his feeling of worthiness since his disability was not an obstacle for him to acquire additional skills. He is very proud that since he acquired the skill, he is able to make repairs and improvement of tricycle parts easier and also is able to do welding of window drills. The provision of the welding machine by the TCC was to him a great help and looks forward to putting up a welding Machine Shop together with the other persons with disabilities who underwent training.

With an increased income, he claims he is able to help his married children in augmenting the basic needs of his grandchildren .As a member of the Tubao Credit Cooperative, he says he is so proud that TCC has given importance in

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helping not only members of the cooperative but also non-members who were later motivated to become members.

“Fely”, as she is fondly called by her co-employees is the eldest daughter

of Mr. Roberto Selga, a farmer and the late Remedios Estoesta, a plain housewife from Garcia, Tubao, La Union who are both members in good standing of our cooperative. Fely finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management from Saint Louis College, San Fernando City in 1990. After graduation, she joined as a member of Tubao Credit Cooperative. In January, 1992 she applied in TCC and was hired as a clerk. As an employee, she is very hard-working one. She is very effective and efficient. She has shown an exemplary service to TCC and the members. She can be depended upon by her co-employees especially the manager that is why she is often designated to take charge and decide on loan transactions whenever the manager is out on official travel or business. She is recently designated as the Head of the Loans Processing Department.

Fely is married to Mr. Amado Paneda. They were blessed with three children. Their twins, Pamela Jane and Carmela Jane, are now in 1st Year College both taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Saint Louis College, San Fernando, City, La Union. The youngest, Lawrence John is a Grade VI pupil in Pideg Elementary School, Tubao, La Union.

Her three-in-one role as a mother, wife and employee is very challenging one. She claimed that Tubao Credit Cooperative has been a very big help for the finances of the family. Through her loans, they were able to buy a passenger jeepney and is registered as a PUJ in Metro Manila at the same time she can send her children to school with the salary derived from the cooperative and the additional income from their jeepney.

Her long years of dedicated service to the cooperative did not go in vain because her efforts were recognized. She was awarded as Outstanding Employee Award inspired her more to do her job to the best she can.

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Kathleen Mae Jean V. Suñer(Educational Assistance Grantee)

From An Educational Assistance GranteeTo A New Employee

Kathleen Mae Jean Suñer Soriano is one of the grantees for educational assistance of Tubao Credit Cooperative. She is the 3 rd child among the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Alex G. Suñer who are both members of the cooperative. She took up Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2008 at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Agoo, La Union. As a student, Kathleen was a very diligent one. She had good grades every end of the semester. However, she faced a very great challenge in her life when she needed to stop from going to school due to pregnancy. As a policy of the Cooperative, the educational assistance grant should have been terminated. However, for humanitarian reason, Kathleen was given consideration especially because she was doing well in school before she stopped.

Kathleen was so grateful for the opportunity given to her. The more that she gave her best in her studies. The greatest challenge was to study while taking care of her baby. She needed to work double time. Her being a mother was her inspiration to pursue her dreams and to graduate. Despite her condition, she was able to hurdle all her challenges. She finished her degree with flying colors last March 2013. After graduation, she started to apply for a job in various institutions including TCC. Incidentally, TCC is in need of a Clerk that time, so she was considered for the job. As an employee, Kathleen is seen as a very promising one possessing very good qualities like dedication and commitment to work, willingness to learn and humility. She has also established good working relationship with her co- employees.

For Kathleen, she will forever be grateful to Tubao Credit Cooperative. She said that she will serve TCC and promised excellent service for the members and with her co- employees.

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Testimonies from Bagnos MPCBinacag, Banna, Ilocos Norte

Mrs. Mary Ann Vidad of Bagnos MPC, Binacag, Banna, Ilocos Norte applied providential loan for small business. Mrs. Vidad during the project monitoring in her barbecue stand.

Mrs. Filomena Benito, of Bagnos MPC, Binacag, Banna, Ilocos Norte poses with the bags of rice during the release of her rice loan. Before, members used to avail rice loan from private traders with an interest of 23% per month.

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After 2 months, Mrs. Vidad is paying her loan to the coop. According to her, she had already earned an ample capital for her barbecue business. She can sell at least 1 Kg daily (4 p.m.-6:30 p.m.) with an average net income of ₱100.

To lessen the burdens of the members, this service came into existence 6 years ago. The rice loan capital came from CDIF with only 42 bags as the starting capital. At first, a member can only avail 1 bag rice. Today, a member can avail 5 bags rice. This year 2014, the coop released 280 bags rice to 105 members earning gross income of ₱158,570.

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Lilia Dumaoal, member of Bagnos MPC is one of the beneficiaries of Goat Raising Project. The objective of Goat Raising is to find ways and means to increase household income. The capital comes from the Unilateral Trust Fund of FAO TSSARD of the Dept. of Agrarian Reform in the amount of ₱56,500 used for the purchase of 16 heads doe and 2 bucks plus biologics. A member can avail 1 head and payment will be 2 kids. There are already 120 beneficiaries realizing additional income of ₱6,000 annually.Mrs. Elena Parco availed 6 heads of the hog fattening loan on December 2013. Now, her loan is fully paid. She earned a total income of ₱14,675.